Allen J. Jebens Sr., 73, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, March 11, 2012, in Edgefield, S.C.

Allen spent a lifetime in service to his country, first as a U.S. Marine and later in the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1992 as Postmaster for Midlothian, Ill.

Allen and his wife Jeanine resided in Russellville for 14 years until moving to South Carolina in 2008 to be near family. Allen was born in Blue Island, Ill., to the late Howard Jebens and Dorothea Schrank Jebens. Allen was the second of nine children, Curt of Minooka, Ill., Dennis of Troy, Ohio, Pat (Smuszkiewicz) of Belvidere, Ill., Jack of Georgetown, Texas, Dale, Kathy (Beatty) of Bradley, Ill., Howard Jr. of Oak Forest, Ill., and Dorothea (Kinsman) of Lawton, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dale Jebens.

Allen is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Jeanine (Wood), sons, Allen Jr. of Tinley Park, Ill., and Mark of Edgefield, S.C.; and five grandchildren.

Allen will be interred in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill.

Expressions of sympathy for the Jebens family may be made at www.georgefuneralhomes.com.